LOGINAuthor’s POVColorful balloons swayed in the gentle sea breeze, tied to beach chairs and picnic tables loaded with cupcakes, snacks, and a towering cake shaped like a pirate ship. It was Ryan’s fifth birthday party, and his parents had gone all out.“Happy birthday, Ryan!” loud voices echoed along the shore.The celebration took place on the Blackwells’ private island. Everyone was in attendance, Dante’s parents, Cassandra’s parents, Mirabella, and other family members showering Ryan with overwhelming love. His grandfather had even transferred all his shares in the group to him, a gesture that made Mira grumble jokingly about why Ryan always received more special treatment than she did.“Blow out the candles and make a wish,” Cassandra urged gently, and Ryan leaned forward, puffing his cheeks before blowing them out in one breath.“I wish Mummy and Daddy will give me a sister soon,” Ryan announced cheekily.Cassandra flushed instantly, while father and son exchanged knowing winks.“I
Cassandra’s POVThe church went silent as everyone stared at Margaret, their hearts lodged in their throats. I looked around frantically, searching for something, anything, I could use to distract her, but there was nothing within reach.So I tried to reason with her.I shot Sergio a pointed look, silently urging him to hide Ryan. I didn’t want that crazy woman to see my son and completely lose whatever shred of reason she had left. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed some of Dante’s men slowly positioning themselves behind her, and I breathed a small sigh of relief. Still, I needed to keep Margaret engaged.“I want y’all dead! I want every single one of you dead!” she roared. She spun around just in time to catch Dante’s men moving toward her. “Are you really testing me? Do you want me to blow this place up?” she shrieked, her hand tightening around the detonator.“Stop! All of you, move back!” I ordered sharply. The last thing I wanted was for her to lose control and risk everyon
Cassandra's POV “Good morning, Mrs. Blackwell,” Mira teased as she walked into my room, and I burst into laughter. She had been teasing me like that for a week now, but I wouldn’t call it a tease since it was my wedding today. I was getting married to Dante Blackwell today. The sun was out, and it didn’t look like it would rain. It was such a perfect day. “Good morning to you too, Ms. Blackwell,” I replied, and we both burst into laughter again. “Goodness, I still can't believe this,” she mumbled as she sat on the bed, while I checked out my dress in the mirror. I had been doing that all morning. “Believe what?” “That you, Cassandra Monroe, will be the one to marry my uncle,” she said, and I chuckled. I found it unbelievable too, but it was happening. If anyone had told me that my best friend's uncle, the man my boyfriend sold me to for a cheap deal, and the one I lusted after, would become my husband, I would have laughed it off. But it was happening. In a few minutes, I wou
Dante's POV I fidgeted nervously on the rooftop as I waited for Cassandra to join me. I looked at what I had prepared. It was a simple romantic rooftop setup, with candles flickering in delicate glass holders, tracing the edges of the rooftop, and soft fairy lights hanging above, casting a warm golden glow. Roses, her favorite, of course were scattered along the floor, petals drifting in the gentle night breeze. My heart skipped a beat when I saw her walking toward me, wearing the dinner dress I had prepared for her. It fitted her perfectly, her beauty radiant as she got closer. The candles and lights glimmered, but nothing shone brighter than her. “Hello, Mr. Blackwell,” she beamed. I had rehearsed every word, every gesture, but seeing her now, radiant and unsuspecting, made my heart hammer in a way no preparation could mimic. Everything, the soft music from the band, the lights, the scent of flowers was meaningless compared to the moment I would finally ask her to be mine for
Dante's POVI didn’t know how Cassandra found out about Margaret, but I found myself explaining things to her so she wouldn’t misunderstand.I drove Cassandra to Margaret’s place, and even though I wanted to talk her out of it, it didn’t seem like she would budge. We both walked into the house, and Cassandra gasped seeing how heavily guarded it was.“Is this a prison?” she asked, and I looked away.It was indeed a prison, but an elaborate one, designed solely for Margaret.“You should brace yourself; she’s become feistier than the last time you saw her,” I told her, but Cassandra was deadpanned at the sight, so I pushed the door open.As we stepped in, we were overwhelmed by the pitch darkness of the room, and we only relaxed when I switched on the light. Margaret, crouched on the bed, got alerted as she looked at us, as if trying to figure out who we were. But the moment she saw Cassandra, her face turned pitch black.“You slut!” she screamed, trying to rush forward, but I stopped he
Cassandra's POVThe last days have been eventful, with everything going smoothly, most especially my relationship with Dante. We had been going on a lot of dates, sometimes with Ryan, though we haven't told him about Dante being his father. We were taking one step at a time.“And I believe we can achieve desirable results if we used that,” I said, as I concluded my presentation, and the conference room erupted into applause.I was currently at a conference held by the minister, where I presented the progress of the project to them, and unlike how I had pictured it, people were receptive towards me. There wasn’t any form of judgment or whispers towards me; it seemed I was the only one that remembered the scandal of Dante and my affair back then.I had thought the shadow of that scandal would forever haunt me, but it seemed I was the only one stuck in the past.“Such an incredible presentation, Ms. Blake,” the minister praised me, as he went on to introduce me to the people around.“Thi
Cassandra's POVI looked at Margaret, who had a cigarette stuck between her lips while a woman held a lighter for her. She looked shocked to see Mira and me, and she quickly tossed the cigarette away, but it was too late, we already saw her.A sick person smoking? Clearly, there was more going on.
Margaret’s POV “See you tomorrow?” Dante asked, his voice low as he gazed at me gently, as if his words might offend me. I only nodded.“Yes, see you tomorrow,” I beamed, stepping out of the car after giving him a brief hug just enough to leave him wanting more.I waved his car goodbye, and the mo
Margaret's POV“Did he not want to get back together?” I mumbled, as I remembered the conversation I had with Dante earlier.I couldn't believe he would reject the idea of getting engaged again, because the man I knew was obsessed with me, but that slight hesitation was enough to tell me that somet
Cassandra's POV“Here goes nothing,” I muttered under my breath as I stepped out of the car Mira sent to pick me up. The moment I walked into the ballroom, where DM Construction’s fifth-year anniversary celebration was happening, the noise struck me first. I looked around like a lost sheep, trying







